Means for extinguishing fire



Apr. 24, 1923.

H. E. DELBARE MEANS FOR EXTINGUISHING FIRE v 714 765Frill/r5911 Filed dan. 5, 1921 I fication.

Patented Apr. 24, 1923.

UNITED STATES HEOTOR E. DELBABE, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS. I

MEANS FOR EXTINGIJ'ISHING FIRE.

Application flled January 3, 1921. Serial No. 434,625.

'To all whom it mag concern Be it known that I, Hncron E. DELBARE,

"a citizen of the United States, residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Means for Extinguishing Fire, of which the following is a speci- The invention relatesto a method of and means for extinguishing fire.

One of the objects of the invention is the provision of a new and improved method of extinguishing fire.

A- more specific object is to provide a method of extinguishing fire which, broadly stated, automatically comminutes a relatively heavy, fire extinguishing agenc by discharge of an explosive in the midst thereof, thereby to convert it into a fog, highly atomized vapor or gaseousbody that will settle down over the blaze or fire and smother it. i

Another object of the invention is to provide an im roved fire extinguishing means, automatica y operable at acertain or predetermined rise oftemperature to forcibly project and distribute a fire extinguishing agency over a relatively extensive area within which the fire may have originated.

Another object is the provision of a device of the character set forth above, in the body of which an explosive charge of suitable material is normally contained and which is detonated or ignlted by impact of a striker released at a predetermined temperature by melting o a retaining fuse whereby to forcibly distribute the fire extinguishing agency over the affected area.

Other, further and more specific objects of the invention will become readily apparent, to persons skilled in the art, from a considei-ation of the following description when taken in conjunction with the drawings, wherein 1 indicates a casing, preferably made of glass or other refractory material, having, preferably, an inturned cylindrical portion 2 and, at its upperend an opening 3, closed by a stopper4, .or other suitable means".

The outer surface=of the neck or projection 5*is threaded to receive a threaded cap 6, to

u the upper art of which is secured a loop 7,

by which t e devicema y be suspended from any suitable support.

The upper portion of the casing 1,'as at 8 is thicker than the body part 9, for a par.-

range of the device pose to be hereinafter more specifically disclosed.

At the lower end of the cylinder portion 2 is a neck or projection 10 having an annu-- .lar groove 11 for supporting a metallic cylinder, or cap 12. Inside of the cap 12 is a reciprocating plunger or striker 13, carryat 20 and .another parallel disk 21, perforated /as at 22. Between the disks is an explosive cap of fulminate of mercury-or other similar suitable material 23, adapted to be exploded by impact due to contact with the reduced end 24 of the reciprocating plunger or rod 13. The spring 16 is held under tension and the striker 13 is held in the position shown in the drawing by means of a fuse member 25, one end 26 of which, is

located under the head 15 of the striker and the other end is soldered to the outside end 17 of the cap 12, as at 27 by use of a solder that will melt at a predetermined temperature The cylinder 2 is filled, preferably, with gun powder, or other similar explosive material, 28, such as slow burning dynamite, and the receptacle or casing 1 is filled with a fire extinguishing agency 29, asfor example. carbon tetra-chloride.

When the device is properly prepared as described, it may be suspended near the ceiling of a room on a support, by means of the loop 7. When the temperatureof the region approximating the device is raised to adangerous degree. it usually is due to the' presence of the fire that is located within the Upon the occurrence of the fire, the solder 27 is melted or fused, whereupon the spring 16 will urge the striker 24 toward the detonating cap 23.

The end 24'will enter the opening 22 in the disk 21 and by impactwith theexplosion cap 23 will discharge it. The'efiect of the discharge through the aperture 20 in the disk 19 will ignite the powder 28 in the cyl-' inder 2, causing an intense'abrupt explosion and thereby atomizing the liquid'29, within the container 1.-- The exploaionwill become so violent that .the' liquid will be pulverized or atomized into a fog or vapor, and owing to the nature of the vapor being heavier than the atmosphere, it will settle down as-a fog and envelop the fire, driving out the oxygen, which otherwise would suppor combustion, and smother the flames.

The upper wall 8 of the container 1 is made heav so as to withstand, to some extent, the e ect of the explosion and prevent' radiation of the material in the vertical, or substantially vertical, direction, and cause most of it to be violently projected or radiated in a downward direction.

Tetra-chloride of carbon is a non-supporter of combustion; is capable of being converted into fog or vapor in the manner described, and will not injure the most delicate fabric with which it may come in contact. It is frequently used as a cleanser for removing grease and other stains or soil from delicate fabrics and, therefore, it is in no sense an agent that will destroy highly susceptible material with which it may be brought into contact.

The device may also be used as a grenade and may be thrown by hand upon a blaze, the result being to fracture the glass and spread the contents of, the container. The explosive 28, that is located'in the cylinder 2, may be of a character that will become explosive only when detonated, and which will burn slowly without danger of producing any abrupt disturbance. When the device is used as a grenade and thrown upon the fire, a shock of that character will not be suflicient to loosen the fuse link 25, but it will be sufiicient to scatter the contents of the container, and the explosive 28 in that event will burn without harm, or it will become extinguished by contact with the fire subduing agency. 7

The interior of the device is substantially hermetically sealed and therefore atmospheric and other disturbances will not be harmful or interfere with its operation.

Having described my invention what I claim as new anddesire to secure by Letters Patents, is Y A fire extinguisher comprising a glass receptacle to contain extinguishing material havin an integral cylinder to contain an explosive, open at its outer end and having a neck around the opening; a metal cylinder secured to the neck; a pair of disks having perforations out of register, adjacent the neck and within the metal cylinder; a percussion-cap within the metal cylinder and between the disks; a striker-pin in said metal cylinder arranged to pass thru one said disk; a spring to potentiate said pin and within the metal cylinder, and a lowmelting solder to hold the pin retracted.

In testimony whereof I hereunto subscribed my name.

HECTOR DELBARE. 

